Hearing this number, both Ito and Kitagawa were astonished, but Yatada remained silent.
Because the funds i Xiang embezzled were far more than this amount.
i Xiang paused, then added: "Moreover, we suspect this is just the tip of the iceberg; it may involve other, more serious economic cris. Hence, Deputy Chief Kitagawa, please make sure to arrest Watanabe and render justice to Xingye Products."
At the right mont, Ito interjected: "Kitagawa-kun, this matter is no trifling issue; it must be dealt with promptly. I hope you can take Watanabe Kazuo away for a secret investigation to avoid alerting anyone else."
"Secret arrest?"
Ito nodded, "Xingye Products has just gone through the painful process of a cleanse. ixiang and I have discussed it; only by making a secret arrest can we maintain this company, now in turmoil."
He patted Kitagawa on the shoulder, "I hope you can take control of Watanabe Kazuo as soon as possible to prevent the situation from escalating and facilitate our subsequent investigations."
Facing Ito’s repeatedly emphasized point about "control," Kitagawa imdiately grasped Ito’s intentions.
He nodded and said, "Minister Ito, I understand your point. I’ll arrange for manpower imdiately to bring Watanabe Kazuo back to the Special Investigation Departnt for questioning."
"Then I’ll leave it in your hands, Kitagawa-kun." Ito’s face showed a relieved expression.
Kitagawa stood up, gave a slight bow to Ito and i Xiang, and was about to take his leave when i Xiang stopped him, "Deputy Chief."
"Is there sothing else? President Xingye?"
i Xiang also stood up, "After you arrest Watanabe, I hope to have an opportunity to et with him."
Kitagawa frowned, "Why?"
"I want to ask him face-to-face why he would treat the Xingye family, who nurtured him, and how he repaid my father’s cultivation like this."
Kitagawa took a long look at i Xiang and nodded his agreent, "I’ll arrange it, but it must be done in the presence of our staff."
He paused, then added, "President Xingye, I hope you understand that this case is no small matter. Any actions that could potentially affect the investigation must be handled with caution."
i Xiang bowed slightly, "I understand, Deputy Chief. I rely want to uncover the truth and won’t do anything that hinders the investigation."
Kitagawa said no more, bowed again to Ito and i Xiang, and then left the Xingye residence.
Watching Kitagawa leave, the smile on Ito’s face gradually faded, replaced by a trace of coldness.
He turned his head, looked at Yahata Reina, who was still kneeling to the side, and said in a cold tone: "Mrs. Xingye, please follow President Xingye’s arrangents. Leave the country imdiately."
Yahata Reina, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly stood up but nearly fell due to her numb legs from the extended kneeling.
i Xiang, out of instinct, supported her stepmother.
Yahata Reina looked at i Xiang with complicated eyes, filled with indebtedness, reluctance, but even more with the longing for the new life ahead.
"Mother, I will have soone send you to the airport."
i Xiang called out this title for the last ti, "Take care."
Yahata Reina’s eyes moistened, and she finally nodded, following the bodyguards waiting outside to leave the Xingye residence.
Watching Yahata Reina’s departing figure, i Xiang’s heart was filled with a mixture of emotions, knowing that from this mont on, her relationship with this woman had co to an end.
Ito also ca out, "i Xiang, you did well. I will take care of Watanabe Kazuo’s issue thoroughly. Rest assured, from now on, you will take charge of Xingye Products."
"Thank you, Minister."
The driver opened the car door for Ito. Before getting in, he stopped, "By the way, i Xiang, I hope you will also thoroughly clean up these matters. Leaving the country does not an one will stay silent, make sure to leave no problems behind."
i Xiang’s heart tightened, understanding Ito’s implication.
Yet, for her to handle Yatada, the young girl she had just decided to send abroad, was clearly impossible.
But this was like presenting a credential to Ito; without doing it, she could not gain his trust.
"I..." i Xiang hesitated for a mont but finally verbally agreed, "I will."
"Good, I’ll await your news."
After these words, Ito got into the car and left.
Looking at the receding taillights, i Xiang realized that it was through Ito that she had preserved the face of the Xingye family.
But what was she going to face next?
A deep sense of powerlessness swept over her, i Xiang felt dizzy and barely managed to stand steady by supporting herself against the door fra.
Chen Cheng, who was nearby, saw this scene and quickly ran over.
"i Xiang."
"Brother Cheng..." i Xiang threw herself into Chen Cheng’s arms, "We did it..."
Chen Cheng let out a deep breath, "Okay, everything is over now."
i Xiang looked up at the man she deeply trusted, yet she shook her head.
Cheng Cheng saw the flicker of fear in her eyes, "Still shaking your head? Is it not over?"
i Xiang stepped out from Chen Cheng’s embrace. "Minister Ito wants ... to get rid of Reina Yahata."
Chen Cheng was stunned for a mont, then frowned. "What does he an by that?"
"He wants to kill her, as proof of my loyalty to him," i Xiang’s voice trembled, unable to believe she would say such a thing.
Chen Cheng’s face darkened. "This is not sothing you should do."
i Xiang bit her lip and said nothing.
She knew Chen Cheng was right, but what could she do?
If she didn’t follow Ito’s demands, she dared not imagine what would happen to Xingye Products.
"i Xiang, I don’t think your father would want you to do this either."
Chen Cheng spoke, "You haven’t done anything wrong, so you can’t start making mistakes now."
"But..."
Chen Cheng took a deep breath. "Co back to our country with , start over as a Japanese businessman, okay?"
i Xiang’s vision was already blurred as she faced Chen Cheng’s renewed invitation, "But what about Xingye Products..."
She subconsciously looked back at the small western-style building behind her, "They are all here."
Chen Cheng cradled i Xiang’s face. "You co with first, leave this place of trouble."
i Xiang looked at him, struggling internally.
On one side was the family business, on the other was Chen Cheng’s promise and the longing for a new life.
Finally, she nodded gently, "Okay, I’ll co with you."
...
...
That afternoon, in the interrogation room of the Special Investigation Departnt.
The pale light shone on the tal table, casting a cold glow.
Watanabe Kazuo sat there, hunched and pale-faced.
In front of him on the table was a cup of chilled tea and a thick dossier.
i Xiang entered the interrogation room and sat down opposite Watanabe Kazuo.
Two Special Investigation Departnt officers stood on either side with stern expressions.
"You..." i Xiang’s voice was hoarse, "Why did you do this? My father treated you well."
Watanabe Kazuo slowly raised his head, looking at i Xiang with hollow eyes, his lips trembling but no sound coming out for a long ti.
The interrogation room was silent, with only the faint hum of the recording equipnt adding to the oppressive atmosphere.
"I should have guessed, this was your setup," Watanabe spoke.
i Xiang watched him steadily, "You haven’t answered . My father treated you well, why did you do this?"
Faced with further pressing questions, Watanabe chuckled, "Osuke? A man who relies on a woman, what gives him the right to control Xingye Products? Just because of his surna?"
i Xiang slapped the table fiercely, shouting, "Shut your mouth! You aren’t allowed to insult my father!"
Watanabe Kazuo, however, was unfazed, laughing even more wildly, "What, did I hit a nerve? Osuke, he’s nothing but trash!"
i Xiang’s body trembled, she bit her lips tightly, struggling to restrain the anger inside.
She knew she couldn’t be provoked by Watanabe Kazuo’s words now, she had to stay calm to get the answers she wanted.
"My father showed you great kindness, why did you betray him?"
"Great kindness?"
Watanabe Kazuo laughed as if he had heard a hilarious joke, doubling over with laughter,
"What he gave was nothing but his leftover scraps! I worked so hard for Xingye Products for so many years, and in the end, I got nothing! Why? Why does Osuke get to reap the benefits?"
"You..."
i Xiang was shaking with rage. She stood up fiercely, wishing to slap Watanabe Kazuo, but was stopped by an officer next to her.
"President Xingye, please calm down," the officer said calmly.
i Xiang took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
She sat back down and looked coldly at Watanabe Kazuo, "I know about your betrayal of my father and the embezzlent of funds."
"But I want to know, was my father’s death related to you in any way?"
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